Gary Strachan – "Write" Said Fred
Whimsical observations from deep within an erratic mind
My brother Ian will shortly arrive for a two day hiatus at my West Yorkshire apartment. News of my habitually clumsy siblings return to the area of his birth no doubt leading to the flat's ornaments quaking in their boots. Of course, the ornamental trinkets don't literally quake in the boots. For one thing they're... Continue Reading →
For a variety of reasons my literary output has diminished of late; as a consequence of this tardiness my mental health has tumbled like a latter-day Humpty Dumpty. With the art of penmanship acting as my goto anti-depressant, it's proved a foolish self-care strategy if ever there was one! As a result, from today I've... Continue Reading →
Four years ago yesterday a life episode played out which, although shaking my being to the very core, became a positive catalyst for significant life changes on my part. Transformations which have enhanced my life immeasurably; subsequently, augmenting my self-worth and esteem. Let me point out this life event, the suffering of a heart attack,... Continue Reading →
Last Wednesday on a chilled and misty North Yorkshire evening, four days before the birthday celebrated globally by millions, a baby girl was born to my son Jonathon and his wife Jenny,. The arrival's inaugural appearance providing the greatest possible Christmas gift to both parents and their respective broods. A euphoric episode catapulting GJ Strachan... Continue Reading →
It’s 18th December and the festive ambience in my apartment intensifies apace. To be honest, though, how could GJ Strachan not be flushed with yuletide ardour after the greeting of ‘Bollocks’ from behind door 18 of my Tourettes advent calendar? Augmenting yuletide spirit further, the unmistakable redolence of mulled wine, a bowl of satsumas, and... Continue Reading →
As you're probably aware, December 2022 arrived early Thursday morning; And, if you were aware, why didn't you tell me. I only found out today (Friday), meaning the inaugural opening of my advent calendar was delayed for over 24 hours. Actually, that's not strictly true; I didn't receive an advent calendar. Instead my Ossett beau... Continue Reading →
As dusk fell, with heavy precipitation turning my slim fit jeans into a second skin, I entered the camper van to jokingly asking Sarah if she had an industrial size shoe horn. A utensil I'd identified as a useful accessory to ease me outta my sodden denims. My partner and I had just spent an... Continue Reading →
With daylight diminishing over Nottinghamshire, at 15mph we entered a forest domain made famous by Robin Hood and his band of merry men. I'm unsure what they were merry about, however I'm pretty sure it wasn't with anticipation of utilising zip wires, bicycles, ten-pin bowling, pool slides or a Bella Italia meal, like fellow visitors... Continue Reading →
In middle-age I'm much more of a dissenter than during my younger adult years. Subsequently, these days I often cock a snook at the world; deeds pushing existential boundaries, which are undertaken with the aim of shaking the Establishment to its core... Exploits such as referring to carpet vacuuming as hoovering, despite my cleaner of choice... Continue Reading →